Chapter 246 - Chapter 246: Not A Bad Person
Chapter 246: Not A Bad Person
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Jiang Gu clung to the doorway, revealing a round head with two small buns tied up, and timidly called out, “Sister-in-law.”
Jiang Gu did not deliberately try to please her, but genuinely felt that Zhang Ling was a good person.
When Jiang Chuan was forced into the mountains by Old Madam Jiang, Jiang Gu often went hungry. She would wake up in the middle of the night due to hunger and sneak into the kitchen to find food.
One night in the kitchen, she ran into Zhang Ling, who was also up late. Jiang Gu thought she would be beaten up, but instead, Zhang Ling pulled out an egg hidden amongst the firewood. It was clear she had stashed it away secretly.
With an impatient expression, Zhang Ling tossed the egg to Jiang Gu, saying, “Eat it and don’t tell anyone, or I’ll beat you!”
Jiang Gu retracted her head in fear and ran out with the egg in her arms. She turned back after a few steps and carefully thanked Zhang Ling, who was rearranging the firewood pile in the house.
The sudden voice startled Zhang Ling, and she even scolded her again.
But as a child, Jiang Gu didn’t understand the scolding. She only remembered Zhang Ling giving her an egg and concluded she must be a kind person, hence the friendly greeting.
Zhang Ling was momentarily stunned. Her lips twitched, as if she wanted to smile, but she quickly adopted a stern expression.
A small table was set up on the kang, a heated brick bed. Zhang Ling sat on the right, while Jiang Chuan and Zhou Lan sat on the left. Everyone remained silent.
Even though Zhang Ling wanted to see the attitude of Jiang Chuan’s family, she felt awkward and refused to speak. She held a cup in her hand, continuously fidgeting with the colored patterns on the ceramic cup.
Seeing the ongoing silence, Jiang Xia walked in with a small stool, sat in front of them, and initiated conversation.
“Sister-in-law, have you come for an early breakfast?”
Zhang Ling was surprised. Life at the third uncle’s home had improved so much that they even had breakfast!
In the village, it was rare for households to have three meals a day. Most would eat one meal without knowing when the next one would be. Even before the families separated, they never had breakfast!
Hearing this, Zhang Ling became more determined to separate from the old Jiang family in the future.
Deep down, Zhang Ling wanted to eat.
Seeing her not respond, Jiang Xia continued, “There are boiled eggs in the pot, and we made wild vegetable porridge. 1’11 get some for you.”
Without waiting for Zhang Ling’s reaction, she ran to the kitchen, scooped a bowl of wild vegetable porridge for everyone, and brought out all the eggs from the pot, cooling them with water before placing them in a bowl. She then brought the porridge and eggs into the room on a tray.
Smelling the fragrant wild vegetable porridge, Zhang Ling dropped her pretense and started eating. As she ate, she stubbornly said, “You insisted I stay for the meal. That’s why I’m eating here. It’s not because 1 want to!”
Zhou Lan, as if comforting a child, replied, “Yes, yes, we forced you.”
With her porridge, Zhang Ling ate three eggs without pause. She must have been hungry from the night before.
Considering the old Jiang family’s previous attitude towards Jiang Chuan’s family, Zhou Lan guessed that Jiang’s second family might also be having a tough time. She felt pity for Zhang Ling.
After finishing five eggs and the porridge, Zhang Ling put down her chopsticks satisfiedly, lifting her chin slightly, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Although she was usually sharp-tongued, she had a soft heart. Being suppressed by her family and the old Jiangs, she had developed some defensive attitudes, especially towards Jiang Chuan’s family due to their past behaviors.
After enjoying their hospitality and Zhou Lan’s kindness, she clearly felt a touch of embarrassment. She mumbled, “1 heard from Captain Chen that my family is moving to the village thanks to your help. I came to thank you.”
After Jiang Xia heard this, she ridiculed her in her heart. How could Zhang Ling have such an attitude when she came to thank her? Zhang Ling was really stubborn. She wanted to be friendly and put on airs at the same time.
However, the fact that she came over to thank them meant that she was a kind person who knew how to appreciate others. Moreover, she did not bully the Jiang family like the Jiang family did, so Jiang Xia did not hate her.
Zhou Lan, always warm-hearted towards those who showed kindness, was even more amiable towards Zhang Ling after her gesture. “Look at you, silly girl. We’re family, no need for thanks. That’s being too formal. Are you full? We have wild vegetable pancakes in the pot. Want one?”
Touching her full belly, Zhang Ling subtly shook her head, becoming even more envious of Jiang Chuan’s current living conditions..